CCV: Close Combat Vehicle Back On Again — DND 'Re-Commits'Update: On 20 Dec 2013 – one business day before bids lapsed – the CDS announced the end of the Close Combat Vehicle Project. Improved LAV UP
protection levels are cited as one reason but there is no mention of the mobility gains anticipated by CCV.
The Close Combat Vehicle is back on again and via the
CF's newspaper, The Maple Leaf, we are assured that the current plans for the CCV project match the CLS'
"vision for combat capability in future operations." That would be a little more reassuring had LGen
Andrew Leslie not been nudged out of the CLS position
last week. DND gives us no indication of LGen Leslie's future posting. Indeed, what little
escapes the NDHQ informational black-hole suggests that overly public manoeuvring by the CLS on behalf of CCV and
TAPV projects led
to Leslie's downfall.

As usual, with the journalistic style of The Maple Leaf, no real information is conveyed. '
Management-speak ' quotes are given by the current VCLS (soon to be 'promoted' to CF rep to NATO ) and the COS (Mat)
with nary a hint of CCV's trials and tribulations. (Perhaps no surprise, considering the flutter of
statements from DND officials of late insisting that nothing is wrong with Canada's procurement system!)
One detail does stand out. The Family of Land Combat
Vehicles (CCV, TAPV, FMS, LAV III UP ) are expected to achieve full operational capability by 2015 –
the FOC listed for CCV back in June 2009. Apparently, fumbling this project for months and wrong-footing industry is
not expected to bring about delays of any kind.

The original 30 March 2010 article from The Maple Leaf is available in html and pdf.DND re-commits to acquiring close combat vehicles Annie Dicaire (The Maple Leaf )

DND senior officials confirmed in February [2010] that the acquisition of close combat vehicles (CCVs) for our
soldiers is a priority that should not be postponed.

The plan to proceed with the CCV project fits in well with the Chief of the Land Staff's vision for combat
capability in future operations. "This is certainly great news for our troops," CLS Lieutenant-General
Andrew Leslie said. "This new capability is a great step towards adapting the Army to the changing combat
environment, and ensuring that we have the best tools to be successful in future missions."

"What was examined was the order in which these projects should be delivered,” said Vice Chief of the
Defence Staff Vice-Admiral Denis Rouleau, "and when the new CCV capability should be introduced to the
Canadian Forces, to ensure that the Department is focussing its resources towards our key priorities,"

The CCV project will provide the CF with up to 138 [including options] medium-weight infantry fighting vehicles
that are highly protected and tactically mobile. The CCV will bridge the gap between light armoured vehicles
( [ weighing ] 5-20 tonnes) and heavy armoured vehicles (more than 45 tonnes) while allowing infantry
to operate in intimate support of Leopard 2 tanks
– a vehicle capability the CF does not
currently have.

How close are we to seeing [the CCV]? We are still a couple of years away from seeing the first [CCV, typical]
for a project of this magnitude [with a] competitive procurement process, involving many federal departments
including Public Works and Government Services Canada, and Industry Canada. Throughout the early stages of
the process, feedback from industry is sought.

"[DND's] aim is to acquire the best equipment for our soldiers while providing the best value for Canadians," said
Chief of Staff (Materiel) [ David "Jake"] Jacobson. "We are achieving this through open dialogue with
industry – consulting regularly and listen- ing to feedback – which leads to overall
shorter procurement timelines and... success."

[PMO CCV] is planning an Industry Day for early April to provide a project update to contenders and
stakeholders. In the coming weeks, a [ SOIQ ] Solicitation of Interest and Qualification will
be released by Public Works and Government Services Canada on the government's electronic
tendering service [ie: MERX].

The renewal of land combat vehicles is a key component of the Canada First Defence Strategy [there
estimated to "require investments ranging between $45 billion and $50 billion in acquisition capital costs", see: Canada First Defence Strategy, 2. Equipment], and
lays a solid foundation for the continued modernization and strengthening of the CF. The CCV, TAPV, LAV III UP,
and FME [vehicles] are expected to reach full opera- tional capability by 2015 [ the FOC for CCV was originally scheduled for
July of 2015 ].